The Quiet Revival (Part 2)

A Changing Narrative… Are We Ready to Play our Part?

In Part One, we outlined some of the key exciting trends from the Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report which shows that the church in the UK is now actually growing.

The question now is, Will these trends continue and translate into anything substantial and long-lasting?

In this blog, we look at some of the challenges the church must face and how it should respond to contribute to lasting change.

First, the need for discipleship. Discipleship is about growing as a Christian, learning to follow Jesus, and taking what the Bible says is essential to this. But the report reveals “many people say they lack confidence in navigating or understanding the Bible and speaking about it with others.” Furthermore, “35% of 18–34-year-old churchgoers agree that their faith is undermined when they think/read about some parts of the Bible.” The Bible often stands at odds with aspects of our modern culture. So, how can we cultivate an environment for honest and open engagement with the Bible where we are also ready to be doers of the Word? And how can the church equip people to become active followers of Jesus amid the challenges of culture and to know the difference it makes in their daily lives? We might call this whole life discipleship. In this way, people will move from going to church to being the church!

Second, the need for community. The report highlights that people in the UK feel increasingly isolated and are looking for belonging. This is despite the social media revolution. We should therefore recognise the “importance and impact of authentic personal relationships,” especially in promoting healing and wholeness. So, how can the church be a valued community for all? How can we foster intergenerational relationships where we listen to one another? How can we encourage relationships among people of different socioeconomic backgrounds? And how can the church be a family that is intentionally and culturally open to others joining?

Third, the need for social engagement. The report found, “79% of churchgoers agree it’s important to them to try to make a difference in the world.” This contrasts with 53% of those with no religion. So, what are today’s social needs and opportunities in Worcester for the church to respond to and demonstrate the good fruit that comes from our relationship with Jesus?

Fourth, the need for a life-giving story. With the collapse of secular narratives, which have been shown to be empty and unable to deliver what humanity needs, people are considering the Christian story afresh. In an excellent recent article about a changing climate among students, Carolyn Morris-Collier observes, “Suddenly, Christianity seems like an intelligent option” and “the renewed interest in God… [is] divided into two categories: cultural and spiritual.” People are rediscovering the cultural good that Christianity has produced, such as a concern for the dignity of all people and especially for the downtrodden. People admire the values of joy, friendship and care, which are often embodied in a church community and its activities. They see the rootedness the Christian story provides in an era of rootlessness. Equally, they are increasingly dawning on the fact that as human beings we are inherently spiritual and we long for the transcendent. A life in relationship with God seems so much richer, more interesting and guides us into true contentment. So, how can we hold out a new story to people, encompassing cultural goodness and spiritual life? Are we able by our life together to answer the question our culture is asking: “Does it work”?

Finally, under all these points is the need for prayer. Prayer ensures that it is God breathing through us for effective change as we humbly take up these challenges.